Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy Prices: Household Support 2026-07-07

Tuesday 7 July 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister stated preparation for contingencies regarding increased energy costs.
  • Warm home discount increase has benefited households across the country.
  • Government funding for solar geoengineering projects was denied by the Minister.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The recent rise in energy bills is concerning for many families, especially those in York Central. The questioner highlights that 13.5 million homes are expected to spend more than 10% of their household income on energy this winter and 5.5 million homes will exceed 20%, leading to financial stress.

Question

What steps he is taking to support low-income households with increases in energy prices? I thank the Minister for his answer. Preparedness for the sharp increase in domestic energy costs is vital, given that 13.5 million homes are expected to be paying more than 10% of their household's spending on energy this winter and 5.5 million homes more than 20%, leaving families at breaking point. What further steps is he intending to make to expand the warm home discount scheme, take levies off electricity bills to cut costs, and expand social tariffs?

Answer from Martin McCluskey

We are preparing for every contingency and looking at the support that may be required in the autumn and winter. The significant increase in the warm home discount has obviously benefited households right across the country, not least in my hon. Friend's constituency. The number receiving the warm home discount in York Central has increased from nearly 2,500 to over 8,000, to a value of £1.2 million in support offered to her constituents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions regarding removing levies and expanding social tariffs were not addressed

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Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The recent rise in energy bills is concerning for many families, especially those in York Central. The questioner highlights that 13.5 million homes are expected to spend more than 10% of their household income on energy this winter and 5.5 million homes will exceed 20%, leading to financial stress.

Question

What steps he is taking to support low-income households with increases in energy prices? I thank the Minister for his answer. Preparedness for the sharp increase in domestic energy costs is vital, given that 13.5 million homes are expected to be paying more than 10% of their household's spending on energy this winter and 5.5 million homes more than 20%, leaving families at breaking point. What further steps is he intending to make to expand the warm home discount scheme, take levies off electricity bills to cut costs, and expand social tariffs?

Answer from Martin McCluskey

We are preparing for every contingency and looking at the support that may be required in the autumn and winter. The significant increase in the warm home discount has obviously benefited households right across the country, not least in my hon. Friend's constituency. The number receiving the warm home discount in York Central has increased from nearly 2,500 to over 8,000, to a value of £1.2 million in support offered to her constituents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions regarding removing levies and expanding social tariffs were not addressed

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Q3 Carla Lockhart DUP
Climate Energy
Context

A Government-funded agency has approved over £50 million for taxpayers' money to fund speculative climate manipulation, such as dimming the sun. This comes at a time when many families are struggling with energy costs and there is potential for domestic production constraints.

Question

Last year, a Government-funded agency approved more than £50 million of taxpayers' money for solar geoengineering projects, one of which endeavours to dim the sun. At a time when families are struggling with energy costs and domestic production is being constrained, why are Ministers backing speculative climate manipulation, instead of fully using North sea oil and gas to deliver affordable, stronger and more secure energy, and lower bills?

Answer from Martin McCluskey

This is nonsense. That was set up by an arm's length organisation set up by the previous Government. It is not something that the Government are funding. In so far as that refers to more affordable energy, we are obviously working at pace to make sure energy is affordable right across the United Kingdom, including whatever support we can offer in Northern Ireland.

Not addressed: The question about solar geoengineering was not directly addressed

How: Nonsense, Arm'S Length Organisation

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